Matthews, president of Outcast Voters League, was joined by eight others for the late night vigil, including Jefferson County Commissioner Sandra Little Brown.

He said the candles "represent 40 years of great service of Cooper Green and represent the 40,000 people that will lack the service historically provided by Cooper Green to the citizens of Jefferson County."

"Cooper Green tomorrow will not be like it was for the last 40 years," Matthews said at the vigil. "I cried on the radio because of this. I weep my tears because I know that the transition will not be like it should be."

Brown thanked area hospitals for taking the patients who had been treated at Cooper Green and said the county will strive the make the hospital's urgent care the best it can be.

"I'm going to make sure this urgent care center is a world class urgent care center. The majority of the commission wants that," Brown said. "We're going to take care of the poor."

Primary and specialty care clinics will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The pharmacy at Cooper Green Mercy will also remain open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., he said.